Originally from Quebec, Diana spent her teenage years in Western Africa which was an early awakening to different cultures. Following that experience, she became an environmental engineer and worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for 7 years. Diana then moved back to Canada to work on water distribution and treatment systems in Calgary. Aside from being an engineer, Diana is also an Algonquin Métis whose mother and two uncles are survivors of residential schools. In the spring of 2016, she woke up from a powerful dream that showed that she would publish a series of colouring books with elders and artists from different nations to help people reconnect with the beauty and wisdom of Indigenous culture. This led her to start the Colouring It Forward project, a social entreprise that supports Indigenous artists, elders and community development projects. To date, she has published books and other products that share elders’ teachings and Indigenous artwork. In 2017, Diana founded the CIF Reconciliation Society whose purpose is to foster reconciliation through the arts. The Society organizes the annual ‘Pokaiks’ the Children Event in honour of the survivors of residential schools as well as Indigenous art exhibits and language revitalization apps.

Born and raised in the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, a city filled with history, art, and culture, Maria Elena Hoover moved to Calgary in 2004. As a graphic designer, she did consulting work for several small businesses. However, her passion for the arts became the main focus when she co-founded Endeavor Arts in 2010 and managed the gallery for seven years.

Maria Elena has also been actively involved in the broader maker community in Calgary having co-founded Maker Faire Calgary in 2012 and later on Fuse33 Makerspace in 2018. As a driving force behind Fuse33 Makerspace, Maria Elena has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and creativity within the community. Her passion for providing a platform for budding entrepreneurs and artists alike has been instrumental in shaping Fuse33 into a hub for collaborative ideation and skill development. She stands as a catalyst for change, bridging the worlds of makers, entrepreneurs, and artists, leaving an indelible mark on Calgary’s cultural and entrepreneurial landscape.


In 2012 she co-founded MakeFashion in Calgary where she is currently the Event Director. MakeFashion is an organization in the fashion tech industry that offers a platform to prototype fashion tech garments, sharing and inspiring stories amongst its global community around the convergence of art, fashion, and technology. Their initiative introduces designers, engineers, and makers to cutting-edge new technologies, fusing high-tech and high-fashion on the runway.

Christina Owczarek is a co-founder & CEO of XhAle Brew which offers provocative beer for conscious thinkers and drinkers.

She is passionate about growing business & industry through structural implementation, community partnerships, personal development & the creative process. Christina has a broad range of experience from brewery operations, sales team development, marketing strategy, start-up advisory, product quality, beer judging, event coordination, consulting, writing and reviewing.

She has a personal interest in beverage and food pairing, and spreading the love and passion of craft beer to grow the industry as a whole. Christina is also a strong advocate for industry diversity & inclusiveness.

My name is Natalie Wynn-Dempsey (aka Miss Natalie of Little Wonders). My traditional name is Rainbow Eagle Woman. My family has numerous opportunities to express themselves through the diverse and vibrant perspectives rooted in our African and First Nations ancestry, among others. I proudly honour my Lenape heritage from Delaware Nation at Moraviantown through my maternal grandmother, as well as my Tsalagi heritage through my paternal grandmother. Additionally, I am a proud member of the Painted Feather Woodland Métis Community.

As a mother to three amazing adult children and a grandmother to two grandsons, with a granddaughter due in September, I couldn't be prouder. My loving and supportive husband has been a constant source of strength in my life. The relationships I have with my family, whether through birth, adoption, marriage, or chosen bonds, have played a vital role in nurturing my self-compassion and love. I am always in a process of discovery and wonder, continuously embracing learning as a way of being.

The beautiful nature of reciprocity, deeply rooted in Indigenous culture, holds profound meaning. As a former participant in the Momentum Program, I had the opportunity to transform the Little Wonders early literacy music and play program into a thriving business within the community. Even after 18 years, it remains vibrant and active, now embracing and reflecting traditional teachings while serving Indigenous families in the community. This experience was a turning point in my life and career, and I will always cherish it. Rejoining this community in a changemaker role is a tremendous honour, as it would allow me to contribute to its ongoing growth and transformation.

As a Community oskâpêwis (Helper), I prioritize acknowledging and integrating Indigenous cultural teachings into program offerings, drawing on the wisdom of Elders and Knowledge Keepers. I am excited about the opportunity to serve as the Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, utilizing my 30+ years of professional experience and expertise in curriculum development, as well as the ancestral wisdom that I have humbly inherited and actively engaged with through ceremonies and guidance from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. This engagement will continue to be a lifelong commitment.